Section 267.5  Definitions

 

"Program" means the K-12 Recycling Grant Program created by this Part.

 

"School Code" or "Code" means 105 ILCS 5.

 

"State Board" means the State Board of Education.

 

"State Superintendent" means the State Superintendent of Education.

 

Section 267.10  Purpose and Applicability

 

This Part establishes the application procedure and criteria for selection by the State Board of the entities that will receive funding under the Program to provide grants to school districts for the implementation or improvement of a school's recycling program.

 

Section 267.20  Eligible Applicants

 

Entities that are eligible to apply for a grant under the Program are school districts, laboratory schools as defined under Section 18-8.15 of the Code, area career and technical education centers, special education cooperatives, State-authorized charter schools, and programs operated by regional offices of education or intermediate service centers.

 

Section 267.30  Application Procedure

 

For purposes of this Part, the terms "proposal" and "application" have the same meaning.

 

a)         When State funding is available for grants under this Part, the State Superintendent shall issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit applications from eligible entities.

 

b)         The RFP shall describe the format that applicants will be required to follow and the information they will be required to submit, including identification of the specific schools that will be served throughout the grant period.

 

c)         The RFP shall indicate the amount or expected amount of the appropriation for the program. The RFP shall identify any restrictions or areas of high priority that have been established for a particular Program year.

 

d)         The RFP shall include and require completion of a budget summary and payment schedule, as well as a narrative budget breakdown that includes a detailed explanation of each line item of expenditure.

 

e)         The RFP shall identify:

 

1)         the information recipients will be required to collect and to report regarding:

 

A)        the activities conducted with grant funds; and

 

B)        the results of those activities; and

 

2)         the timelines for reporting.

 

f)         The RFP shall include certifications and assurances that the State Superintendent will require.

 

g)         The RFP shall specify the deadline for submission of proposals, which shall provide potential applicants with at least 45 days to respond.

 

h)         Incomplete proposals will not be considered.

 

i)          Subject to appropriations for the Program, applicants seeking continued funding under the Program beyond the initial grant period must submit an annual application under this Section.

 

Section 267.40  Allocation of Funds

 

Applications for funding shall be approved by the State Superintendent. Final determinations regarding the amounts to be provided will be made based upon the total funds appropriated for the Program. An eligible entity may receive a maximum grant amount of $5,000 per participating school.

 

Section 267.50  Program Specifications

 

a)         Grant funds may only be used to implement or improve a school's recycling program.

 

b)         No more than five percent of grant funds may be used for general administrative expenses.

 

c)         Each grantee must prepare a written plan that identifies programmatic goals and objectives developed through analysis of the entity's needs and that describes the grantee's approach to allocating district resources and securing other external support to meet those needs in a program that can be sustained over time.

 

Section 267.60  Criteria for the Review of Proposals

 

a)         Applications for grants shall be evaluated in accordance with the following criteria:

 

1)         Need (30 points)

The proposal demonstrates that the district is currently unable to fully implement a recycling program due to issues related to finance, staffing, or facilities.

 

2)         Quality of the Plan (40 points)

 

A)        The proposal demonstrates that the program to be implemented is based on sound research and can be reasonably accomplished based on projected timelines, resources, staff, and facilities.

 

B)        The proposal demonstrates quantifiable goals for the eligible entity.

 

C)        The proposal acknowledges the central role of qualified staff who will oversee the program.

 

3)         Capacity and Sustainability (30 points)

 

A)        The proposal is sustainable as it identifies a plan for allocating district resources, as well as securing additional resources from local organizations, businesses, and governmental agencies that will be useful to the grantee in sustaining a recycling program.

 

B)        The proposal is cost effective. The proposed budget is reasonable based on the scope of the planning work to be conducted and the number of individuals to be involved.

 

b)         Priority points may be given to proposals with specific areas of emphasis, as identified by the State Superintendent in the RFPs.